True Spirit of Christmas

in Life with 18 Comments written by

If you looked at my internet history from yesterday you would wonder why I spent so much time on urbanoutfitters.com and forever21.com women’s sections. Trust me, I was wondering the same thing. But the reason my internet history seems odd was that I was putting the finishing touches up on gifts for my sisters. I am one of millions of Americans who does all their christmas shopping online. And with the final purchase of that leather jacket for my sister, Christmas 2011 shopping was done.

As you can image, when you are searching the internet for deals and gifts, you have some time to think. Whether it be what you want to eat for dinner, why your hands are always so cold, or how many cups of coffee you have had today, sometimes your mind wonders. This particular time of searching for Christmas gifts my mind wondered to what this Christmas would be like…

Opening presents
Eating a big breakfast
Fire crackling in the fireplace
Coffee
NBA basketball
Eating Christmas ham
All the things that I love

But as I thought more about the true spirit of Christmas I could not help but see it captured in Christmas eve tradition of eating chinese food after attending Christmas eve service with my family. Or waking up early on Christmas day to check what is under the tree. Or spending the entire day with just your family, no schedule, no agenda, just family. My mind continued to go to what mattered the most, celebrating with those you love.

So as I searched the women’s section online trying to find that last minute deal for my sisters, I could not help but think about another Christmas where I get to spend it with family.

Do you have any Christmas day traditions?

This post is a part of a series “the 12 blogs of Christmas” from World Vision.
Check out the other post here

 

*kyle

 

About Kyle Reed: I create websites, conversations, and ideas. Advocate for the 20 somethings. Looking to connect everyone to a mentor. I like my coffee black and my dog Jack. I currently live in Nashville and find whatever excuse I can to travel to St. Louis

All Posts by  |  Personal Blog  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Share By Email
  • http://www.mecasually.com Matthew Erxleben

    I hope your sister already knew she was getting a leather jacket…my whole family always watches a new movie (usually bootlegged) on Christmas afternoon.  Even the grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins are around.

    • http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com @kylereed

      she actually called me yesterday to complain. Whoops

      bootlegged ftw

  • http://hssummers.blogspot.com/ Heather Summers

    Eating Chinese food on Christmas Eve sounds amazing! As for our traditions, we have family and friends over for a Christmas Eve party after Christmas Eve service, sing songs, eat way too much food, exchange a few presents, read The Night Before Christmas and The Story of Christmas and just spend time with people we don’t get to see often. On Christmas day we usually have a big breakfast, open presents, and we go see a movie.

    • http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com @kylereed

      nice. I always wish we started that tradition of going to a movie on christmas day. maybe this year

  • http://www.abrahamchronicles.com Dustin

    Growing up we always went over to Grandma’s house to eat homeade tamales.

    • http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com @kylereed

      on Christmas day?

  • http://www.thedailywalk.net Adam

    sure do… 
    it usually involves getting up early, pigs in a blanket, mid-morning naps, big lunch feast, and a family get together. 

    Fin times!

    • http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com @kylereed

      pigs in a blanket sound awesome right now

  • http://twitter.com/koalainscotland Laura Anne

    Going to the Midnight service at a local Church of Scotland church with my Mum on Christmas Eve – meeting the same people every year over hot spiced apple juice and shortbread before heading home to bed.
    My Mum waking me up on Christmas morning because she wants to open presents. Getting Christmas music on and sipping on Bucks’ Fizz and nibbling on croissants while opening presents one at a time – we always open the ones we expect will be awful first. Let’s just say there are a couple of family members who are slightly notorious for badly chosen gifts!
    Eating smoked salmon, sipping on homemade soup, sitting at the table for turkey and all that yummy stuff. Sitting watching TV or playing a game until we have room for dessert!

    One tradition we stopped doing I kinda miss (though I hated it) was my Nana making us watch the Queen’s Speech each Christmas Day!!

    • http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com @kylereed

      that one line, having room for dessert is always a key point for me as well

  • Anonymous

    Usually waking up and opening presents, and then the kitchen begins to smell like sausage dip and tortilla chips. (Thanks to my wonderful parents) We usually have coffee and a light breakfast.

    • http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com @kylereed

      that sounds awesome

  • http://stephenalynch.tumblr.com Stephen Lynch

    I look forward to family moments like your Dad’s puffy vest.

    Seriously. I hope he gets you one this year.

    • http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com @kylereed

      i am all over it. Actually I got him a leather coat so same thing

  • http://www.robstill.com Rob Still

    Watching the colorized version of “It’s A Wonderful Life” with the extended family on Christmas night.

    • http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com @kylereed

      not black and white :)

  • http://twitter.com/jennyecklund jenny ecklund

    I love the traditional hispanic food my mother makes on Christmas Eve, and opening presents with my family. This year new traditions will be made as its my first Christmas as a missionary and christmas falls on a sunday. I think i will start the tradition of a Christmas breakfast and a candlelit service. Im really excited about that! 

    • http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com @kylereed

      that is great. Good tradition to start.